Apo ai expression accelerating agent

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing the expression of apoAI are provided.  
     Pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing the expression of apoAI which comprises a compound of formula (I):  
                 
 
     in which Y 1  is O, S or NR 1 ; Y 2 , Y 3 , Y 4  and Y 5  are CR 2  or N; CR 3  or N; CR 4  or N; and CR 5  or N, respectively; R 1  is A 1 , -Z-A 2 , a hydrogen, a lower alkyl and the like; R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and R 5  are A 1 , -Z-A 2 , a hydrogen, a halogen, and like; -Z- is a single bond, —CR 6 ═CR 7 —, and the like; R 6  and R 7  are a hydrogen or a lower alkyl; and A 1  and A 2  are an aryl, a heterocyclic ring, and the like; are disclosed.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating arteriosclerotic diseases or blood lipid disorders, and specifically to a pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the expression of apoAI.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Cholesterol is well known as a main etiologic factor for arteriosclerosis that causes severe heart diseases. Especially, increased levels of serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) are believed to be a definite risk factor for coronary heart diseases (CHDs). Remedies for decreasing the level of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma by use of statins have been shown to be clinically effective in preventing the onset of CHDs and improving the conditions of CHDs and survivals in patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia. However, about 40% of CHDs patients have a normal level of LDL-C, and are not always cured effectively by remedies for decreasing the level of LDL-C. On the other hand, it has been known that a half of CHDs patients having a normal level of LDL-C shows a lower level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C).

[0003] Epidemiological trials in Europe and the U.S. such as Framingham studies and MRFIT (Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial) have reported that incidence of coronary heart diseases is higher when the level of HDL-C is lower. Other reports show that patients having only a lower level of HDL-C with normal levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride increased in a risk of arteriosclerosis. Those suggest that a low level of serum HDL-C (less than 35 to 40 mg/dl) should be an independent risk factor of CHD, and the risk of complications in coronary artery diseases rapidly increases.

[0004] HDL plays an important role in reverse cholesterol transport system that is known as a biological mechanism to transfer an excess cholesterol in cells back to liver so as to maintain the level of cholesterol in living bodies normally.

[0005] Lipoproteins such as HDL is mainly comprised of lipids and proteins called apoprotein, and HDL comprises an apoprotein as referred to apolipoprotein AI (hereinafter, made up by apoAI) as a main component.

[0006] Excess free cholesterols (FCs) and phospholipids in peripheral cells are extracted by free apoAI to form lipoproteins called preβ-HDL(s). The excess FCs integrated in the preβ-HDLs are transformed into cholesteryl esters (CEs) by lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT), while the preβ-HDLs increase in their particle size to mature into spherical HDLs (HDL3s). The matured HDLs are classified into diverse subfractions based on the density, and these particles further grow up them to form HDL2(s). CEs are continuously transferred into VLD and LDL by means of cholesteryl ester-transporter protein (CETP). Those lipoproteins that integrate CEs are finally taken into the liver via receptors. During the course, apoAI is regenerated, and again interacts with peripheral cells to repeat the extracting of cholesterols and the regeneration of preβ-HDLs.

[0007] It has been well understood that HDL plays a central role in reverse cholesterol transport system and is a defensive factor of arteriosclerosis. It is expected that agents that promote the HDL functions would be clinically effective as medicaments for treating arteriosclerotic diseases. Accordingly, researches and developments of screening for agents that enhance in the level of HDL in plasma have been conducted via various approaches.

[0008] Among the possible approaches, one of the most likely effective approaches is to enhance the serum level of apoAI, a main component of HDL. Although increased level of HDL does not necessarily correlate with the level of apoAI, it is apparent in view of the role of apoAI in reverse cholesterol transport system that the increased level of apoAI is directly responsible for the promotion of the HDL functions. Actually, it has been shown that the mRNA level of apoAI in liver correlates closely to the levels of apoAI protein and HDL in blood (Dueland S, France D, Wang S L, Trawick J D, and Davis R A, J. Lipid Res. 38:1445-53 (1997), “Cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase influences the expression of hepatic apoA-I in two inbred mouse strains displaying different susceptibilities to atherosclerosis and in hepatoma cells.”). Accordingly, it would be believed that the increase in the expression level of apoAI gene could elevate the serum level of apoAI, and consequently improve the HDL functions, leading to the activation of reverse cholesterol transport system. Actually, it has been shown that apoAI-transgenic mice and rabbit pathologic models administered with apoAI exhibit anti-arteriosclerosis activities (Rubin E. M., Krauss R. M., Spangler E. A., Verstuyft J. G., and Clift S. M., Nature 353, 265-267 (1991), “Inhibition of early atherogenesis in transgenic mice by human apolipoprotein AI.”; Plump A. S., Scott C. J., Breslow J. L., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 91, 9607-9611 (1994), “Human apolipoprotein A-I gene expression increases high density lipoprotein and suppress atherosclerosis in the apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse.”; Miyazaki A., Sakuma S., Morikawa W., Takiue T., Miake F., Terano T., Sakai M., Hakamata H., Sakamoto Y., et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 15, 1882-1888 (1995) “Intravenous injection of rabbit apolipoprotein A-I inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.”).

[0009] Taking into account those facts, the inventors of the present application believe that agents that activate apoAI would be candidates for medicaments of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases, and other diverse diseases involving HDL.

[0010] Compounds that elevate HDL are described in WO97/19931, WO97/19932, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,829, and EP796874, whereas compounds that increase apoAI are described in Japanese Patent Publication (kokai) No. 221959/1993, Japanese Patent Publication (kokai) No. 291094/1996, and WO97/09048. However, those compounds are different from the compounds according to the present invention in terms of their chemical structure.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing excellently the expression of apoAI.

[0012] Specifically, the invention provides

[0013] 1) A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the expression of apoAI, which comprises a compound of formula (I):

[0014] in which

[0015] Y¹ is O, S or NR¹;

[0016] Y² is CR² or N;

[0017] Y³ is CR³ or N;

[0018] Y⁴ is CR⁴ or N;

[0019] Y⁵ is CR⁵ or N;

[0020] R¹ is A¹, -Z-A², a hydrogen, a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, an acyl that may be optionally substituted, an amino that may be optionally substituted, a lower alkoxycarbonyl that may be optionally substituted, or a carbamoyl that may be optionally substituted;

[0021] R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently A¹, -Z-A², a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, a lower alkoxy that may be optionally substituted, a nitro, an acyl that may be optionally substituted, an amino that may be optionally substituted, a mercapto, a lower alkylthio that may be optionally substituted, a carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl that may be optionally substituted, or a carbamoyl that may be optionally substituted;

[0022] A¹ and A² are independently a cycloalkyl that may be optionally substituted, an aryl that may be optionally substituted, or a heterocyclic ring that may be optionally substituted;

[0023] -Z- is a single bond, —CR⁶═CR⁷—, or —N—, wherein R⁶ and R⁷ are independently a hydrogen or a lower alkyl;

[0024] provided that at least one selected from Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has A¹, and any one of the others has -Z-A²; a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them;

[0025] 2) The pharmaceutical composition according to above 1), in which the 5-membered ring consisting of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has a nucleus selected from a group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, pyrazole, tetrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, pyrrole, furan, and thiophene;

[0026] 3) The pharmaceutical composition according to above (2), in which the 5-membered ring consisting of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has a nucleus selected from a group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, pyrazole, tetrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, furan, and thiophene;

[0027] 4) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of above (1) to (3), in which A¹ and A² are independently a phenyl, a pyridyl, a pyrazinyl, a furyl, a thienyl, a thiazolyl, a pyrazolyl, a isoxazolyl, a benzofuryl, or an indolyl, each of which may be optionally substituted;

[0028] 5) The pharmaceutical composition according to above (4), in which A¹ and A² are independently a phenyl that may be optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkyl, a lower alkoxy, a lower alkylthio, an amino that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl, a phenyl, a styryl or a heteroaryl; a thiazolyl that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; a pyrazolyl that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; an unsubstituted pyridyl; an unsubstituted indolyl; an unsubstituted benzofuryl; an unsubstituted thienyl; or an unsubstituted furyl;

[0029] 6) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of above (1) to (5), in which Z is a single bond;

[0030] 7) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of above (1) to (6), in which Y¹ is O, S or NR¹, R¹ is a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, or an amino that may be optionally substituted; and, among Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Y⁵, one or two is (are) independently CA¹, one is CA², and the others are independently CH or N;

[0031] 8) The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of above (1) to (7), which is used for prevention and/or treatment of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases;

[0032] 9) A method of enhancing the expression of apoAI, which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (1), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them to a patient expected to enhance the expression of apoAI; preferably, the method which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (2) to (8), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them;

[0033] 10) A method of treatment and/or prevention of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases, which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (1), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them to a patient suspected to have blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases; preferably, the method which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (2) to (8), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them;

[0034] 11) Use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (1), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them for the manufacturing a medicament of enhancing the expression of apoAI; preferably, the use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (2) to (8), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them;

[0035] 12) Use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (1), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them for the manufacturing a medicament of treatment and/or prevention of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases; preferably, the use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in above (2) to (8), a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them.

[0036] When a compound according to the invention has two or more substituents: A¹, then they may be the same or different each other.

[0037] The term “halogen” as used herein includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

[0038] The term “lower alkyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched chain alkyl comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples of the lower alkyl include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, and the like.

[0039] The term “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as used herein includes a lower alkyl, of which any position may be substituted by one or more substituents. The substituent may be a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, an aryl, an acyl, an acyloxy, a carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl, an amino, a lower alkylamino, a nitro, a heteroaryl, and the like.

[0040] Alkyl moiety of “lower alkoxy”, “lower alkylthio” or “lower alkylamino” is similar to the “lower alkyl” as described above.

[0041] Substituent in “lower alkoxy that may be optionally substituted” and “lower alkylthio that may be optionally substituted” is similar to the substituent of “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above.

[0042] The term “lower alkylenedioxy” specifically includes methylenedioxy and ethylenedioxy.

[0043] Lower alkyl moiety of “lower alkoxycarbonyl” is similar to the “lower alkyl” as described above, and substituent of “lower alkoxycarbonyl that may be optionally substituted” is similar to the substituent of “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above.

[0044] The term “acyl” as used herein includes an aroyl and an aliphatic acyl containing 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Here, “aroyl” refers to a group wherein an aryl or a heteroaryl group is bound to a carbonyl group. Examples of the acyl are formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, valery, pivaloyl, hexanoyl, acryloyl, propiolyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, benzoyl and the like. Preferably, acetyl and benzoyl are exemplified.

[0045] Substituent of “acyl that may be optionally substituted” is similar to the substituent of the “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above. Aroyl may be substituted by a lower alkyl. Acyl may be substituted at one or more positions by such a substituent.

[0046] Acyl moiety of “acyloxy” is similar to the “acyl” as described above.

[0047] The term “amino that may be optionally substituted” as used herein refers to an unsubstituted, mono-substituted, or di-substituted amino. Examples of the substituents include the substituents of the “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above, and a lower alkyl. Preferably, an unsubstituted amino, a lower alkylamino, a di-lower alkylamino, a benzylamino, and an acylamino are exemplified.

[0048] Substituent of “carbamonyl that may be optionally substituted” is similar to the substituent of the “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above. Preferably, an unsubstituted carbamoyl and a di-lower alkylcarbamoyl are exemplified.

[0049] The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to an aliphatic cyclic carbon ring group containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 6 carbon atoms. This includes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, cyclodecyl, and the like.

[0050] Substituent of “cycloalkyl that may be optionally substituted” is similar to the substituent of the “lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted” as described above.

[0051] The term “aryl” as used herein includes, for example, phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, and anthryl. Phenyl and naphthyl are preferable, and phenyl is most preferable.

[0052] The term “heteroaryl” as used herein refers to a monocyclic and bicyclic aromatic heterocyclic ring group containing one or more hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of N, S and O within its ring. Examples of the heteroaryl include a monocyclic group, e.g., pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, tetrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, furyl, thienyl, and the like; as well as a bicyclic ring group, e.g., indolyl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzimidazolyl, indazolyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzofuryl, isobenzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzotriazolyl, imidazopyridyl, triazolopyridyl, imidazothiazolyl, pyrazinopiridazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, pteridinyl, naphthylidinyl, pyrazinopyridazinyl, and the like. Preferably, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, furyl, thienyl, indolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, and the like.

[0053] The term “heterocyclic ring” refers to the “heteroaryl” as described above, as well as a monocyclic or bicyclic non-aromatic ring group containing one or more hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of N, S and O within its ring. Examples of the non-aromatic heterocyclic ring include a monocyclic group dioxanyl, dioxazinyl, dioxolanyl, dioxolyl, dithiazinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, morpholyl, morpholino, oxazinyl, oxadiazyl, furazanyl, oxathianyl, oxathiazinyl, oxathiolanyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiadiazolidinyl, thianyl, thiazinyl, thiadiazinyl, thiiranyl, thioranyl, and the like; as well as a bicyclic group chromanyl, 2H-chromenyl, coumarinyl, coumaranonyl, 1,3-dioxaindanyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, dihydroquinolyl, dihydroisoquinolyl, tetrahydroquinolyl, tetrahydroisoquinolyl, 6,7-dihydro-5H-[1]-pyrimidinyl, benzothiazinyl, tetrahydroquinoxalyl, cyclo-pentenopyridinyl, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-indolyl, 4-oxochromenyl, 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[1,4]oxazinyl and pyrrolidinyl, and the like.

[0054] Substituents of “aryl that may be optionally substituted” and “heterocyclic ring that may be optionally substituted” in A¹ and A² include a halogen; a hydroxy; a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy or a lower alkoxy; a lower alkoxy optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy, a carboxy or a lower alkoxycarbonyl; a lower alkenyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy, a carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl or a phenyl; a lower alkenyloxy optionally substituted by a halogen or a hydroxy; a mercapto; a lower alkylthio; a cycloalkyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy or a lower alkyl; an acyl optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; an acyloxy; a carboxy; a lower alkoxycarbonyl; a lower alkenyloxycarbonyl; an amino optionally substituted by a lower alkyl or an acyl; a hydrazino; a carbamoyl optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; a lower alkylsulfonyl; a nitro; a cyano; an aryl optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy; a heterocyclic ring; a phenoxy optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy or a lower alkyl; a monocyclic heteroaryloxy; a phenylamino optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy or a lower alkyl; an oxo; and a lower alkylenedioxy; and the like. Such the substituents may be bound at one or more arbitrary positions.

[0055] The compounds according to the invention include pharmaceutically acceptable, producible salts. Examples of the “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” include a salt with an inorganic acid e.g. those with hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, or the like; a salt with an organic acid e.g. those with p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, or the like; a salt with an organic base e.g. ammonium, trimethylammonium, triethylammonium, or the like; a salt with an alkaline metal e.g. sodium or potassium, or the like; a quaternary salt with alkyl halide e.g., methyl iodide, ethyl iodide or the like; and a salt with an alkaline earth metal e.g., calcium or magnesium, or the like.

[0056] The compounds according to the invention may form solvates as coordinated with a suitable organic solvent and/or water. Hydrates are preferable.

[0057] The compounds according to the invention also include prodrugs. In the context of the invention, a “prodrug” is a derivative of a compound according to the invention comprising a chemically or metabolically cleavable group. In the course of metabolism in the body, a prodrug shows a pharmacological activity as a result of conversion to the compounds according to the invention. Method for selecting and producing suitable prodrug derivatives are described in, e.g. “Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1985)”.

[0058] Prodrugs of a compound according to the invention having a carboxy are exemplified by an ester derivative produced by condensing the carboxy group with a suitable alcohol, e.g., COORA wherein RA is a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl or an aryl, each of which may be optionally substituted in which the substituent may be a hydroxy, an acyloxy, a carboxy, a sulfonic acid, an amino, a lower alkylamino, or the like; and alternatively by an amide derivative produced by reacting the carboxy and a suitable amine, e.g., CONRBRC wherein RB is a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, or the like; and RC is a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amino, a hydroxy, or the like.

[0059] Prodrugs of a compound according to the invention having a hydroxy are exemplified by an acyloxy derivative produced by reacting the hydroxy group and a suitable acyl halide or a suitable acid anhydride, e.g., —OCORA wherein RA is as defined above.

[0060] Prodrugs of a compound according to the invention having an amino are exemplified by an amide derivative produced by reacting the amino group and a suitable acid halide or a suitable mixed anhydride compound, e.g., NHCORA, and NHCOORA wherein RA is as defined above.

[0061] When compound (I) according to the invention has an asymmetric carbon atom, then the invention encompasses a racemic mixture, both of enantiomers, and all of diastereomers. When compound (I) according to the invention has a double bond, the invention may include both of geometric isomers resulting from possible arrangements of its substituents.

[0062] Although all of the compounds according to the invention have an activity for enhancing the expression of apoAI, the following compounds that comprise one group: A¹ and one group: A² can be listed as preferable compounds.

[0063] Compounds of formula (I):

[0064] (1) wherein the 5-membered ring consisting of Y, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Y⁵ is:

[0065] 1,2,3-triazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 1 and the other at position 4 (hereinafter Y-1);

[0066] 1,2,4-oxadiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 3 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-2);

[0067] 1,2,4-triazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 3 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-3);

[0068] 1,3,4-oxadiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-4);

[0069] 1,2,4-thiadiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 3 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-5);

[0070] 1,3,4-thiadiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-6);

[0071] furan having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-7);

[0072] isoxazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 3 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-8);

[0073] oxazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 4 (hereinafter Y-9);

[0074] oxazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-10);

[0075] pyrazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 3 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-11);

[0076] tetrazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-12);

[0077] thiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 4 (hereinafter Y-13);

[0078] thiazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 2 and the other at position 5 (hereinafter Y-14); or

[0079] 1,2,4-triazole having one of A¹ and A² at position 1 and the other at position 3 (hereinafter Y-15); and

[0080] (2) wherein A¹ and A² are defined as follows:

[0081] A¹ or A² is a phenyl that may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy, a lower alkoxy, a lower alkyl, a lower thioalkyl, an amino optionally substituted by a lower alkyl, a halogen, a phenyl and a thiadiazolyl (hereinafter A¹ or A² is regarded as A-1);

[0082] A¹ or A² is a furyl, thiazolyl, thienyl or pyrazolyl, each of which may be optionally substituted by one of more substituents selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a lower alkylsulfonyl, a lower alkylcarbamoyl, a nitro, a phenyl, a benzoyl, and a thienyl (hereinafter A¹ or A² is regarded as A-2);

[0083] A¹ or A² is a pyridyl that may be optionally substituted by a halogen (hereinafter A¹ or A² is regarded as A-3);

[0084] A¹ or A² is a benzofuryl or a indolyl (hereinafter A¹ or A² is regarded as A-4);

[0085] Both A¹ and A² are A-1 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-5);

[0086] One of A¹ and A² is A-1 and the other is A-2 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-6);

[0087] One of A¹ and A² is A-1 and the other is A-3 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-7);

[0088] One of A¹ and A² is A-1 and the other is A-4 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-8);

[0089] Both of A¹ and A² are A-2 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-9);

[0090] One of A¹ and A² is A-2 and the other is A-3 (hereinafter A¹ and A² are regarded as A-10); and

[0091] (3) wherein Z is defined as follows:

[0092] Z is a single bond; or

[0093] Z is —N— or —HC═CH—.

[0094] More preferable compounds having one group: A¹ and one group: A² are those of formula (I) wherein Z is a single bond; and a combination of the 5-membered ring comprising Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Y⁵, and A¹ and A², i.e., (Y, A) is as follows:

[0095] (Y-1, A-5), (Y-2, A-5), (Y-3, A-5), (Y-4, A-5), (Y-5, A-5), (Y-6, A-5), (Y-7, A-5), (Y-8, A-5), (Y-9, A-5), (Y-10, A-5), (Y-11, A-5), (Y-12, A-5), (Y-13, A-5), (Y-14, A-5), (Y-1, A-6), (Y-2, A-6), (Y-3, A-6), (Y-4, A-6), (Y-6, A-6), (Y-7, A-6), (Y-8, A-6), (Y-9, A-6), (Y-10, A-6), (Y-11, A-6), (Y-12, A-6), (Y-13, A-6), (Y-14, A-6), (Y-1, A-7), (Y-2, A-7), (Y-3, A-7), (Y-4, A-7), (Y-5, A-7), (Y-6, A-7), (Y-7, A-7), (Y-8, A-7), (Y-9, A-7), (Y-10, A-7), (Y-11, A-7), (Y-12, A-7), (Y-13, A-7), (Y-14, A-7), (Y-1, A-8), (Y-2, A-8), (Y-3, A-8), (Y-4, A-8), (Y-5, A-8), (Y-6, A-8), (Y-7, A-8), (Y-8, A-8), (Y-9, A-8), (Y-10, A-8), (Y-11, A-8), (Y-12, A-8), (Y-13, A-8), (Y-14, A-8), (Y-1, A-9), (Y-2, A-9), (Y-3, A-9), (Y-4, A-9), (Y-5, A-9), (Y-6, A-9), (Y-7, A-9), (Y-8, A-9), (Y-9, A-9), (Y-10, A-9), (Y-11, A-9), (Y-12, A-9), (Y-13, A-9), (Y-14, A-9), (Y-1, A-10), (Y-2, A-10), (Y-3, A-10), (Y-4, A-10), (Y-5, A-10), (Y-6, A-10), (Y-7, A-10), (Y-8, A-10), (Y-9, A-10), (Y-10, A-10), (Y-11, A-10), (Y-12, A-10), (Y-13, A-10) or (Y-14, A-10).

[0096] Some illustrative examples of compound (I) according to the invention are shown in Tables below. TABLE 1 Compound Publications or M.p (° C.) No. Manufactures year, Vol., Page Structure or MS 123TA14-1 Organic Synthesis 1963 4 380

169-171 123TA14-2 J. Am. Chem. Soc. (Maybridge) 1964 86 2213

123TA15-1 J. Prakt. Chem 1966 33 199

124 123TA15-2 Zh. Org. Khim 1967 3 968

112-113 123TA15-3 Maybridge

123TA24-1 Helv. Chim. Acta 1991 74 501

140-142 123TA24-2 J. Chem. Soc. (C) 1968 2097

101 123TA24-3 J. Chem. Soc. (C) 1968 2097

40 123TA24-4 J. Chem. Soc. (C) 1968 2097

164 123TA45-1 Tetrahedron Lett. 1993 34 1055

130-131 123TA45-2 Tetrahedron Lett. 1993 34 1055

139-140 123TA45-3 J. Org. Chem. 1987 52 375

126-8

[0097] TABLE 2 123TA45-4 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1996 33 911

246-247 123TA45-5 J. Chem. Soc. 1988 2917

oil 123TA45-6 J. Chem. Soc. 1988 2917

187-8 123TA45-1 Heterocycles 1990 31 1669

161-163 123TD45-1 J. Med. Chem. 1985 28 442

81.5-82.5 123TD46-2 J. Med. Chem. 1985 28 442

56.5-58 123TD45-3 J. Med. Chem. 1985 28 442

 84-86 123TD45-4 J. Med. Chem. 1985 28 442

117-119 123TD45-5 J. Med. Chem. 1985 28 442

107-109 123TD45-6 Maybridge

 92-94 124OD35-1 Tetrahedron Lett. 1996 37 6627

no data 124OD35-2 Synthesis 1983 6 483

107-109 124OD35-3 Maybridge

[0098] TABLE 3 124OD35-4 Maybridge

124OD35-5 Maybridge

124OD35-6 Maybridge

121-122 124OD35-7 Maybridge

124OD85-8 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1983 20 1693

125-127 124OD35-9 Heterocycles 1996 43 1021

114-115 124OD35-10 Maybridge

124OD35-11 Arch. Pharm 1994 327 389

127-129 124OD35-12

 97-98 124OD35-13 BIONET

124OD35-14 Maybridge

124OD35-15 Maybridge

124TA13-1 Tetrahedron Lett. 1985 26 5655

 88-89 124TA13-2 Synthesis 1993 59

198-200 124TA13-3 Syntec

124TA13-4 Maybridge

[0099] TABLE 4 124TA13-5 J. Chem. Soc. 1970 1515

175-6 124TA13-6 J. Chem. Soc. 1970 1515

199-200 124TA13-7 J. Chem. Soc. 1994 3563

139- 149dec 124TA13-8 J. Chem. Soc. 1994 3563

 93-94 124TA13-9 Maybridge

124TA15-1 Synthesis 1986 772

126-127 124TA15-2 Maybridge

124TA15-3 Salor

124TA15-4 Maybridge

124TA15-5 Maybridge

124TA15-6 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1983 20 1693

125-127 124TA15-7 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1983 20 1693

141-143

[0100] TABLE 5 124TA15-8 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

189-190 124TA15-9 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

263-264 124TA34-1 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1976 16 561

252-253 124TA34-2 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1976 16 561

199-200 124TA34-3 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1976 16 561

185 124TA34-4 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1992 29 1101

282 124TA34-5 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1992 29 1101

201 124TA34-6 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

139-140 124TA34-7 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

149-151 124TA34-8 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

121-2 124TA34-9 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

189-190 124TA34-10 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

165-6 124TA34-11 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

192-194

[0101] TABLE 6 124TA34-12 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

184-6 124TA34-13 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1984 57 544

174-175 124TA35-1 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 8397

192-195 124TA35-2 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

191-192 124TA35-3 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

152-3 124TA35-4 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

112-4 124TA35-5 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

127-130 124TA35-6 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

100-102 124TA35-7 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

144-6 124TA35-8 J. Med. Chem. 1983 26 1187

155-7 124TA35-9 J. Med. Chem. 1991 34 281

144-7 124TA35-10 J. Med. Chem. 1991 34 281

196-9 124TA35-11 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1983 20 1693

224-226 124TA35-12 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1991 28 1197

171-171.5 124TA35-13 Maybridge

124TA35-14 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1983 56 545

79-81

[0102] TABLE 7 124TA35-15 Acta. Chem. Scand 1991 45 609

 81-82 124TA35-16 Acta. Chem. Scand 1991 45 609

 74-75 124TA35-17

169-170 124TD35-1 Chem. Commun. 1984 1386

 55-57 124TD35-2 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1985 58 995

 91-91.5 124TD35-3 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1985 58 995

139-139.5 124TD35-4 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1985 58 995

161.5-2.5 124TD35-5 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1985 58 995

180-180.5 124TD35-6 Salor

125TD34-1 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1992 27 1861  72-73 134OD25-2 Tokyo Kase Kogyo

134OD25-3 Maybridge

134OD26-4 Maybridge

134OD25-5 Maybridge

134OD25-6 Lancaster

134OD25-7 Fluka

134OD25-8 Aldrich

[0103] TABLE 8 134OD25-13

202-203 134OD25-14

120-122 134OD25-15

135-140 134OD25-16

131-132.5 134OD25-17

169-170.5 134OD25-18

142-143 134OD25-19

170-172 134OD25-20

146.5-148 134OD25-21

154-156 134OD25-22

223-224 134OD25-23

131-132 134OD25-24

258-260 134OD25-25

121-124 134OD25-26

108-109 134OD25-27

261-263

[0104] TABLE 9 134OD25-28

148-149 134OD25-29

164-165.5 134OD25-30

 88-89 134OD25-31

228-229 134OD25-32

 70-71 134OD25-33

 65-67 134OD25-34

 95-97 134OD25-35

118-120 134OD25-36

120.5-122 134OD25-37

 94-95.5 134OD25-38

101-102 134OD25-39

234-236 134OD25-40

 82-83 134OD25-41

160-164 134OD25-42

103-105 134OD25-43

118-119 134OD25-44

140-142 134OD25-45

126-127

[0105] TABLE 10 134OD25-46

127-128 134OD25-47

176-478 134OD25-48

122-124 134OD25-49

165-167 134OD25-50

111-113 134TD25-1

117-119 134TD25-2

75.5-76.5 134TD25-3

 90-91 134TD25-4

 66-67 134TD25-5

111-113 134TD25-6

 61-62.5 F23-1 Synth. Lett 1991 869

no mp F23-2 Synth. Lett 1991 869

no mp F23-3 Maybridge

F24-1 Synthesis 1981 625

109-110 F24-2 Synthesis 1983 49

175

[0106] TABLE 11 F24-3 Synthesis 1983 49

133 F24-4 Maybridge

F24-5 Maybridge

F24-6 Maybridge

F24-7 Chem. Commun. 1968 33

129-130 F25-1 Synthesis 1984 7 593

195-196 F25-2 Synthesis 1984 7 593

167-168 F25-3 Synthesis 1984 7 593

210 dec F25-4 Synthesis 1987 1022

97-98 F25-5 Synthesis 1996 388

  54-55.5 F25-6 J. Chem. Soc. 1997 477

91-92 F25 7 J. Chem. Soc. 1997 477

105-107 F25-8 J. Chem. Soc. 1997 477

85-86 F25-9 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1996 44 448

117-118 F25-10 Lancaster

82-84 F25-11 Maybridge

[0107] TABLE 12 F25-12 Maybridge

F34-1 Tetrahedron 1994 50 9583

107-111 F34-2 Tetrahedron 1994 50 9583

133-134 F34-3 Chem. Commun. 1992 11 656

105-7  IM12-1 Salor

IM12-2 Salor

IM12-3 Salor

IM12-4 Salor

IM12-5 J. Chem. Soc. 1991 2821

220-221 IM12-6 Heterocycles 1995 41 1617

IM12-7 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

oil IM12-8 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

210-211

[0108] TABLE 13 IM12-9 Chem. Commun. 1984 430

105 IM12-10 Chem. Ber 1989 122 1983

208 IM14-1 Maybridge

IM14-2 J. Org. Chem. 1964 29 153

187-192 dec IM14-3 J. Org. Chem. 1964 29 153

195-210 dec IM14-4 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1978 15 1543

IM14-5 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1978 15 1543

IM15-1 Synthesis 1990 781

153-165 IM15-2 J. Org. Chem. 1977 42 1153

154-155 IM15-3 J. Org. Chem. 1977 42 1153

97-98 IM15-4 J. Org. Chem. 1977 42 1153

154-5  IM15-5 J. Org. Chem. 1977 42 1153

164-5 

[0109] TABLE 14 IM15-6 Maybridge

IM15-7 J. Chem. Soc. 1992 147

173-175 IM24-1 J. Org. Chem. 1993 58 7092

62-64 IM24-2 J. Org. Chem. 1997 62 3480

182-183 IM24-3 J. Org. Chem. 1997 62 3480

  200-201.5 IM24-4 Heterocycles 1994 38 575

88-94 IM24-5 Heterocycles 1994 38 575

291 dec IM24-6 Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg 1986 95 1073

116 IM24-7 Chem. Ber 1896 29 2097

IM45-1 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

156-157 IM45-2 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

172-3  IM45-3 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

134-5  IM45-4 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

162-3 

[0110] TABLE 15 IM45-5 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

144-5  IM45-6 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

138-9  IM45-7 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

94-95 IM45-8 J. Chem. Soc. 1980 244

196-7  IM45-9 Heterocycles 1990 31 2187

177.5-179.5 IM45-10 Heterocycles 1990 31 2187

  132-133.5 IM45-11 Helv. Chim. Acta 1978 61 286

241.5-242.5 IM45-12 Helv. Chim. Acta 1978 61 286

275-277 IM45-13 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1991 39 651

195-196 IM45-14 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1991 39 651

201.5-204   IM45-15 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1991 39 651

182-185 IM45-16

228-230

[0111] TABLE 16 IT34-1 Chem. Commun. 1970 386

  82-83.5 IT35-1 Chem. Lett. 1984 1691

80-81 IT35-2 Chem. Lett. 1984 1691

IT35-3 Chem. Lett. 1984 1691

IT45-1 Maybridge

IT45-2 Maybridge

IT45-3 J. Chem. Soc. 1972 1432

245-7  IX34-1 Synthetic Lett. 1996 695

160 IX34-2 Synthetic Lett. 1996 695

IX34-3 Synthetic Lett. 1996 695

IX34-4 Maybridge

IX34-5 Maybridge

IX34-6 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1990 27 2097

143-145 IX35-1 Synthesis 1992 1205

140-142

[0112] TABLE 17 IX35-2 Synthesis 1992 1205

124-126 IX35-3 Synthesis 1992 1205

122-128 IX35-4 Organic Synthesis 1988 6 278

175-176 IX35-5 J. Org. Chem. 1983 48 4590

177-8  IX35-6 Acta. Chem. Scand. 1994 48 61

235-238 IX35-7 Acta. Chem. Scand. 1994 48 61

269-270 IX35-8 165-166 IX35-9

36-37 IX35-10

47-48 IX35-11

80-81 IX35-12

  78-78.5 IX35-13

129.5-130.5 IX35-14

59-60 IX45-1 Maybridge

IX45-2 Maybridge

IX45-3 J. Org. Chem. 1995 60 6637

86-87

[0113] TABLE 18 IX45-4 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 5435

68-70 IX45-5 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 5485

126-128 IX45-6 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 5435

82-84 IX45-7 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 5435

52-54 OX24-1 Tetrahedron 1996 52 10131

123-4  OX24-2 Tetrahedron 1996 52 10131

114-5  OX24-3 Tetrahedron 1996 52 10131

98-99 OX24-4 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 3749

94-95 OX24-5 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 4623

97.5-99   OX24-6 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 4623

131-132 OX24-7 Salor

OX24-8 Tokyo Kase Kogyo

105 OX25-1 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1975 12 263

72-74 OX25-2

88-90 OX25-3

OX45-1 Salor

[0114] TABLE 19 OX45-2 J. Med. Chem. 1968 11 1092

167-8  OX45-3 J. Med. Chem. 1968 11 1092

140-141 OX45-4 J. Med. Chem. 1968 11 1092

77-79 OX45-5 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1975 12 263

22-24 OX45-6 Maybridge

OX45-7 Maybridge

P12-1 J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans 1 1990 2995

119-120 P12-2 Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1992 27 70

131-133 P12-3 Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1992 27 70

140-142 P12-4 Heterocycles 1994 37 1549

134 P12-5 Heterocycles 1994 37 1549

104 P12-6 Synthesis 1995 1315

80-82 P12-7 Synthesis 1995 1315

oil P12-8 Synthesis 1995 1315

74-76

[0115] TABLE 20 P12-9 J. Chem. Soc. 1996 1617

152-154 P13-1 Tetrahedron Lett 1996 37 4099

122-128 P13-2 Tetrahedron Lett 1996 37 4099

41-42 P23-1 Tetrahedron 1995 51 13271

215-6  P23-2 SALOR

P23-3 J. Org. Ohem. 1994 59 4551

oil P23-4 J. Org. Chem. 1994 59 4551

124-125 P23-5 J. Org. Chem. 1995 60 6637

139-140 P23-6 J. Chem. Soc. 1997 1851

131-2  P23-7 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1995 68 2735

143.5-4.5  P24-1 Organic Synthesis 1955 3 358

174-176 P24-2 J. Org. Chem. 1978 43 3370

  196-196.5 P24-3 J. Chem. Soc. 1997 1851

131-2  P24-4 Maybridge

[0116] TABLE 21 P25-1 Salor

P25-2 MENAI

P25-3 J. Org. Chem. 1978 43 3370

138-139 P25-4 J. Org. Chem. 1984 49 4780

126-7  P25-5 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 1180

215-216 P25-6 Heterocycles 1986 24 2437

139-140 P25-7 Heterocycles 1986 24 2437

150-151 P25-8 Heterocycles 1986 24 2437

156-157 P25-9 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1990 63 3595

105-107 P34-1 Salor

P34-2 J. Org. Chem. 1992 57 2245

92-95 P34-3 J. Org. Chem. 1995 60 6637

169-171 P34-4 Heterocycles 1987 26 3197

125-128 P34-5 DP00653 (Maybridge)

P34-6 Chem. Commun. 1997 207

158-9 

[0117] TABLE 22 PZ13-1 Synthesis 1991 1153

  76-79 PZ13-2 Maybridge

PZ13-3 J. Org. Chem. 1996 61 2763

oil PZ13-4 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1993 30 365

  90-91 PZ13-5 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1993 30 365

  98-99 PZ13-6 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1993 30 365

336, 335, 301, 123, 118, 77 PZ13-7 Heterocycles 1992 33 813

  81-83 PZ13-8 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

 100-102 PZ13-9 Can. J. Chem 1997 75 913

102.5-105   PZ13-10 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1990 27 1847

225 PZ14-1 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1993 30 365

318, 303, 78, 77 PZ14-2 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1993 30 365

334, 319, 104, 77 PZ14-3 Heterocycles 1992 33 813

  95-97 PZ14-4 Maybridge

PZ14-5 Maybridge

PZ14-6 Maybridge

[0118] TABLE 23 PZ14-7 Maybridge

PZ15-1 Tetrahedron 1994 50 12727

oil PZ15-2 Synthesis 1997 337

102-104 PZ15-3 Synthesis 1997 337

110-112 PZ15-4 Synthesis 1997 337

108-110 PZ15-5 Synthesis 1997 337

106-108 PZ15-6 J. Org. Chem. 1988 53 1973

oil PZ15-7 J. Org. Chem. 1988 53 1973

 99-100 PZ15-8 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

194-196 PZ15-9 Chem. Pharm. Bull 1997 45 987

153-154 PZ15-10 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1973 46 947

121 PZ34-1 Tetrahedron 1996 52 4383

188 PZ34-2 Peakdale

PZ34-3 Peakdale

[0119] TABLE 24 PZ34-4 J. Org. Chem. 1978 43 3370

259-261 PZ34-5 J. Chem. Soc. 1991 329

126-7 PZ34-6 Bull. Soc. Chim. Belg 1986 95 1073

PZ34-7 BIONET

PZ35-1 J. Chem. Soc. 1994 2533

158-160 PZ35-2 J. Chem. Soc. 1994 2533

oil PZ35-3 Can. J. Chem 1980 58 494

 59-60 PZ35-4

107-108 PZ35-5 Tokyo Kase Kogyo

PZ35-6 Lancaster

199-200 PZ35-7

PZ45-1 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1992 65 698

116-117 T23-1 J. Heterocycl. Chem. 1996 33 687

120-121 T23-2 Heterocycles 1996 43 2747

132-134 T23-3 Bull. Chem. Soc Jpn 1994 67 2187

 67-68

[0120] TABLE 25 T23-4 Maybridge

T24-1 Maybridge

T24-2 Maybridge

T24-3 Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn 1994 67 2187

159-161 T24-4 Bull. Chem. Soc Jpn 1994 67 2187

 74-76 T25-1 Tetrahedron 1996 52 12677

225-226 T25-2 Tetrahedron 1996 52 12677

164 T25-3 Maybridge

T25-4 Maybridge

T25-5 Maybridge

T25-6 J. Org. Chem. 1992 57 1722

148-9 T25-7 J. Org. Chem. 1992 57 1722

161-2 T25-8 Heterocycles 1994 39 819

141 T25-9 Heterocycles 1994 39 819

140 T25-10 ALDRICH

T25-11

 60-61 T25-12

 82-83

[0121] TABLE 26 T34-1 Maybridge

T34-2 J. Org. Chem. 1997 62 1940

 115-116 T34-3 J. Org. Chem. 1997 62 1940

oil T34-4 J. Org. Chem. 1997 62 1940

 104-106 TZ-1 Maybridge

TZ-2

 139-141 TZ-3

 102-103 TZ-4

 161-163 TZ-5

 101-102 TZ-6

 118-119 TZ-7

 101-101.5 TZ24-1 Heterocycles 1991 32 2127

 130-131 TZ24-2 Chem. Lett. 1984 1691

 92.5-93.5 TZ24-3 Maybridge

TZ24-4

 148-150 TZ24-5

 98.5-100 TZ24-6

  77-78

[0122] TABLE 27 TZ24-7

  65-68 TZ24-8

 200-201 TZ24-9

 130-131 TZ24-10

TZ24-11

 111-112 TZ24-12

125.5-126.5 TZ24-13

 160-162 TZ24-14

 121-123 TZ24-15

 66.5-67.5 TZ24-16

 80.5-82 TZ24-17

 111-113 TZ24-18

 186-188 TZ24-19

 156-157 TZ24-20

 178-180 TZ25-1 Maybridge

TZ25-2

 131-132 TZ25-3 BIONET

TZ25-4 BIONET

TZ25-5 BIONET

[0123] TABLE 28 TZ25-6

 61-62 TZ25-7

TZ25-8 Synthesis 1994 1467

 65-66.5 TZ25-9 Maybridge

TZ25-10 Maybridge

TZ25-11 Maybridge

TZ26-12 J. Med. Chem. 1991 34 2158

280 dec TZ25-13 J. Med. Chem. 1991 34 2158

273-6 TZ25-14 J. Med. Chem. 1991 34 2158

218-220 TZ45-1 Salor

TZ45-2 J. Med. Chem. 1994 37 1189

146-8 TZ45-3 J. Med. Chem. 1994 37 1189

204-6 TZ45-4 Heterocycles 1991 32 2127

oil TZ45-5 Heterocycles 1991 32 2127

 91-92 TZ45-6 Maybridge

[0124] In the Tables, preferable compounds are 123TA14-2, 123TD45-6, 124OD35-12, 124OD35-13, 124OD35-14, 124OD35-15, 124TA35-17, 124TD35-6, 134OD25-9, 134OD25-10, 134OD25-11, 134OD25-12, 134OD25-13, 134OD25-14, 134OD25-15, 134OD25-16, 134OD25-17, 134OD25-18, 134OD25-19, 134OD25-20, 134OD25-21, 134OD25-22, 134OD25-23, 134OD25-24, 134OD25-25, 134OD25-26, 134OD25-27, 134OD25-28, 134OD25-29, 134OD25-30, 134OD25-31, 134OD25-32, 134OD25-33, 134OD25-34, 134OD25-35, 134OD25-36, 134OD25-37, 134OD25-38, 134OD25-39, 134OD25-40, 134OD25-41, 134OD25-42, 134OD25-43, 134OD25-44, 134OD25-45, 134OD25-46, 134OD25-47, 134OD25-48, 134OD25-49, 134OD25-50, 134TD25-2, 134TD25-3, 134TD25-4, 134TD25-5, 134TD25-6, F25-10, IM45-12, IM45-16, IX35-1, IX35-8, IX35-9, OX24-5, OX24-7, OX24-8, OX25-1, OX25-2, PZ35-4, PZ35-5, PZ35-6, T25-1, TZ-1, TZ-2, TZ-3, TZ-4, TZ-5, TZ-6, TZ-7, TZ24-2, TZ24-3, TZ24-4, TZ24-5, TZ24-6, TZ24-7, TZ24-8, TZ24-9, TZ24-11, TZ24-12, TZ24-13, TZ24-14, TZ24-15, TZ24-16, TZ24-17, TZ24-18, TZ24-19, TZ24-20, TZ25-2, and TZ25-6.

[0125] More preferable compounds are 123TA14-2, 124OD35-12, 124OD35-13, 124OD35-14, 124OD35-15, 124TA35-17, 124TD35-6, 134OD25-9, 134OD25-10, 134OD25-11, 134OD25-12, 134OD25-13, 134OD25-14, 134OD25-15, 134OD25-16, 134OD25-17, 134OD25-19, 134OD25-20, 134OD25-23, 134OD25-25, 134OD25-27, 134OD25-28, 134OD25-30, 134OD25-32, 134OD25-33, 134OD25-34, 134OD25-35, 134OD25-36, 134OD25-37, 134OD25-38, 134OD25-40, 134OD25-41, 134OD25-42, 134OD25-43, 134OD25-46, 134OD25-49, 134TD25-1, 134TD25-2, 134TD25-4, 134TD25-5, 134TD25-6, F25-10, IX35-1, IX35-12, IX35-13, IX35-8, IX35-9, OX24-5, OX24-7, OX24-8, OX25-1, OX25-2, PZ35-4, PZ35-5, PZ35-6, TZ-1, TZ-2, TZ-3, TZ-4, TZ-5, TZ-6, TZ-7, TZ24-2, TZ24-3, TZ24-5, TZ24-6, TZ24-7, TZ24-9, TZ24-11, TZ24-12, TZ24-13, TZ24-14, TZ24-16, TZ25-2, and TZ25-6.

[0126] Even more preferable compounds are 123TA14-2, 124OD35-12, 124OD35-15, 124OD35-13, 124TD35-6, 134OD25-9, 134OD25-10, 134OD25-11, 134OD25-15, 134OD25-14, 134OD25-23, 134OD25-28, 134OD25-27, 134OD25-32, 134OD25-40, 134OD25-46, 134TD25-1, 134TD25-4, 134TD25-5, F25-10, IX35-1, IX35-8, IX35-9, IX35-13, OX24-5, OX24-8, PZ35-4, PZ35-5, TZ-1, TZ-2, TZ-3, TZ-4, TZ-7, TZ24-3, TZ24-6, and TZ24-11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0127] The compound (I) according to the invention can be synthesized as follows. They can be synthesized by the method described in the literatures given in Tables 1 to 28 or are commercially available. Otherwise, they may be synthesized by the following processes.

[0128] 1) Synthesis of Pyrazole Derivatives (PZ35)

[0129] in which the symbols are as defined above.

[0130] Pyrazole derivative (PZ35) is prepared by heating 1,3-diketone (1) and hydrazine in a solvent. Alcohol may be used as a solvent, and the reaction may be conducted at a temperature between room temperature and a reflux temperature of the solvent.

[0131] 2) Synthesis of Oxazole Derivatives (OX25)

[0132] in which Hal is a halogen and the other symbols are as defined above.

[0133] Chloroacetophenone (2) is converted to aminoacetophenone (4) by the method of e.g. Synthesis, 112 (1990) or Tetrahedron Lett., 30, 5285 (1989). Compound (4) is acylated with acid halide and treated with phosphorus oxychloride, polyphosphoric acid, phosphorus trichloride, dimethyldichlorosilane, or the like in the absence or presence of a solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, toluene, or the like at a temperature between room temperature and reflux temperature of the solvent to give a cyclized product, oxazole (OX25).

[0134] 3) Synthesis of Thiazole Derivatives (TZ24)

[0135] in which X is a halogen or toluenesulfonyloxy (hereinafter referred to OTs), and the other symbols are as defined above.

[0136] According to the method of e.g. J. Heterocycl. Chem., 28, 673 (1991), 2-halo-acetophenone (2) (e.g., 2-bromoacetophenone) is treated with thioamide (7) in a solvent e.g. alcohol, dimethylformamide, or the like, at a temperature between room temperature and reflux temperature of the solvent to give a thiazole derivative (TZ24) having A¹ and A² at positions 2 and 4, respectively.

[0137] Alternatively, acetophenone is converted to a corresponding tosylate (2: X═OTs) by the method of e.g. Synth. Commun., 28, 2371 (1998), which is then treated with thioamide (7) in a solvent e.g. dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol, or the like at a temperature between room temperature and reflux temperature of the solvent to give the same.

[0138] in which the symbols are as defined above.

[0139] According to the method of e.g. Collect. Czech. Chem, 58, 2720 (1993), ketoamide (6) is treated with Lawson reagent in a solvent e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene, dioxane, or the like at a temperature between room temperature and reflux temperature of the reaction solvent to give a thiazole derivative (TZ25) having A¹ and A² at positions 2 and 5, respectively.

[0140] 4) Synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazole Derivatives (124OD35)

[0141] in which the symbols are as defined above.

[0142] According to the method of e.g. Tetrahedron 46, 3941 (1990), amidoxime (9) is treated with nitrile (8) in the presence of zinc chloride in a solvent e.g. ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, or the like at a temperature between room temperature and reflux temperature of the solvent to give 1,2,4-oxadiazole (124OD35).

[0143] 5) Synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole Derivatives (134OD25)

[0144] in which Hal is a halogen, n is 0 or 1, and the other symbols are as defined above.

(10→5→11→134OD25)   [Method A]

[0145] According to the method of, e.g. J. Org. Chem., 58, 2628 (1993), compound (134OD25) can be synthesized.

[0146] Step 1: When the starting material is carboxylic acid, it is converted into acid halide (5) using thionyl chloride, oxalyl chloride, or the like.

[0147] Step 2: A reaction of acid halide (5) and hydrazine monohydrate in the dichloromethane solvent at a temperature between ice cooling and reflux temperature of the solvent gives intermediate 1,2-bisbenzoylhydrazine (11).

[0148] Step 3: The intermediate (11) is cyclized with phosphorus oxychloride, polyphosphoric acid, phosphorus trichloride, dimethyldichlorosilane or the like in the absence or presence of a solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, toluene or the like at a temperature between room temperature and 150° C. to give 1,3,4-oxadiazole 134OD25.

(12+□13→14→134OD25)   [Method B]

[0149] Method B follows the method of e.g. Synthesis, 946 (1979). In the presence of a base, phenyltrichloromethane (12) and hydrazide (13) are heated under reflux in alcohol solvent to give 134OD25.

[0150] In this reaction, the base may be sodium carbonate, pyridine, or the like, and the solvent may be alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol, or the like.

[0151] When the uncyclized intermediate (14) remains, it can be converted into 134OD25 e.g. by heating with an acid catalyst e.g. p-toluenesulfonic acid in a solvent e.g. dimethylformamide at 130° C.

(15+□16 or 17→134OD25)   [Method C]

[0152] According to the method of e.g. J. Gen. Chem. USSR., 1125 (1992), tetrazole (15) and acid chloride (16) or acid anhydride (17) are heated at a temperature between 50 to 150° C. in the absence or presence of a solvent, e.g., acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, pyridine, toluene, or the like to synthesize 134OD25. The starting tetrazole (15) is commercially available or produced by the method of e.g. J.Org.Chem., 58, 4139 (1993).

(13+16→18→134OD25)   [Method D]

[0153] The intermediate (18) is obtained by the method of e.g. Khim Geterotsikl. Soedin., 333 (1996). The cyclization of (18) is carried out as in Step 3 of method A.

[0154] 6) Synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole Derivatives (124TA35)

[0155] in which the symbols are as defined above.

[0156] In a sealed tube, 1,3,4-oxadiazole (134OD25) and thiourea in tetrahydrofuran solvent are heated at 100 to 150° C. to give 124TA35.

[0157] 7) Synthesis of 1,3,4-thiadiazole Derivatives 134TD25

[0158] in which Hal is a halogen and the other symbols are as defined above.

(5□+19→18→134TD25)   [Method A]

[0159] The intermediate (18) is treated with phosphorus pentasulfide by the method of e.g. J. Prakt. Chem., 322, 933 (1980) to give 1,3,4-thiadiazole (134TD25).

(13□+20→21→22+23→134TD25)   [Method B]

[0160] According to the method of e.g. J. Chem. Soc. C, 1986 (1971) or J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans1, 9, 1987 (1982), the intermediate (22) is prepared. This is then cyclized with thioamide (23) to give 1,3,4-thiadiazole (134TD25).

[0161] 8) Synthesis of Isoxazole Derivatives (IX35)

[0162] in which R is a lower alkyl and the other symbols are as defined above.

[0163] As described in e.g. Organic Synthesis Col. Vol. 6, 278 (1988), oxime (24) (prepared conventionally from the corresponding ketone) is treated with n-butyllitium in THF under ice cooling to form dianion. This is condensed with ester (25), followed by acid treatment to give isoxazole (IX35).

[0164] Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention (which enhance the expression of apoAI) activate a reverse cholesterol transport activity of HDL, an anti-inflammatory activity and an anti-coagulant activity, or the like. As a result, the compositions are useful for preventing and/or treating blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases and coronary artery diseases caused by decreased level of HDL in plasma, as well as various cardiovascular diseases concomitant with them. “Blood lipid disorders” specifically include conditions of lowered level of serum HDL, hypercholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia, or the like; “arteriosclerotic diseases” specifically include arteriosclerosis, or the like; “coronary artery diseases” specifically include myocardial infarction, ischaemic heart diseases, cardiac incompetence, or the like. “Various cardiovascular diseases concomitant with the above diseases” to be treated with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include hyperuricemia, corneal opacity, cerebrovascular disease, hereditary HDL deficiencies (Tangier disease, fish-eye disease), or the like.

[0165] The compositions of the invention may be administered orally or parenterally. For oral routes, the compositions may be formulated conventionally into usual dosage forms such as tablets, tablets, granules, powders, capsules, pills, solutions, syrups, buccals, sublinguals, or the like before administration. For parenteral administration, the compositions may be conventionally formulated into usual dosage forms such as injections, e.g., intramuscular or intravenous injections, suppositories; transdermal patches, inhalation, or the like.

[0166] A therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to the invention may be admixed with various suitable pharmaceutical additives such as excipient, binding agent, wetting agent, disintegrating agent, lubricant, diluent, or the like to give pharmaceutical compositions, if necessary. In the case of injections, the ingredients are sterilized together with a suitable carrier to formulate the composition.

[0167] More specifically, the excipients include lactose, sucrose, glucose, starch, calcium carbonate, crystalline cellulose, or the like; the binding agents include methyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, gelatine, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or the like; the disintegrating agents include carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, sodium alginate, algae powder, sodium lauryl sulfate, or the like; the lubricants include talc, magnesium stearate or Macrogol, or the like. Base materials of the suppository may be for example cacao butter, Macrogol, methylcellulose, or the like. Solutions, emulsions or suspensions for injection may comprise a solubilizing agent, a suspending agent, an emulsifying agent, a stabilizing agent, a preserving agent, an isotonic agent, or the like as usually used. Compositions for oral administration may comprise a flavoring agent, an aromatic agent, or the like.

[0168] Dose or therapeutically effective amount of the compounds according to the invention for enhancing the expression of apoAI is preferably determined considering age and body weight of patients, sort and severity of diseases to be treated, route of administration, or the like. In the case of oral administration to an adult, the dose range is usually 1 to 100 mg/kg/day, preferably 5 to 30 mg/kg/day. In the case of parenteral administration, the dose differs largely depending on the route of administration, but the dose range is usually 0.1 to 10 mg/kg/day, preferably 1 to 5 mg/kg/day. The dosage unit may be administered to a subject once or several times per day.

EXAMPLES

[0169] Following references and examples are presented for purpose of further illustration of the invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect.

Reference 1 2-Amino-3′-methoxyacetophenone hydrochloride (4-1)

[0170]

[0171] A suspension of 2-brom-3′-methoxyacetophenone (2.291 g, 10.00 mmol), and sodium diformylimide (1.102 g, 11.60 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL) was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature and further stirred at 60° C. for 2 hours. Insoluble material in the reaction mixture was removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Without purification, the residue was treated with 5% hydrochloric acid-ethanol (25 mL), and the mixture was allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent from the reaction mixture in vacuo, the resulting crystals were separated and washed successively with isopropyl ether and ethyl acetate to give crude crystals 4-1 (1.869 g, 92.7%).

[0172] NMR (DMSO, d-6): 3.85 (3H, s), 4.59 (2H, s), 7.27-7.35 (1H, m), 7.45-7.56 (2H, m), 7.58-7.65 (1H, m), 8.42 (3H, br).

Reference 2 3-Furoyl chloride (5-1)

[0173]

[0174] A mixture of furan-3-carboxylic acid (11.21 g, 10.0 mmol ) and thionyl chloride (14.5 mL, 20.0 mmol) was stirred at 40° C. for 2 hours 30 minutes. The reaction product was purified by distillation under reduced pressure to give 3-furoyl chloride 5-1 (11.89 g, 91.0%) as colorless crystals (Caution: compound 5-1 is a potent irritant). b.p. 68-72° C. (3325 Pa)

Reference 3 N-(3′-Methoxyphenacyl)-3-furoylamide (6-1)

[0175]

[0176] To a solution of compound 4-1 (1.008 g, 5.00 mmol) in pyridine (4 mL) was added 5-1 (0.685 g, 5.25 mmol) dropwise under ice cooling. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 3 hours and then at room temperature for 2 hours. After the solvent was evaporated in vacuo, ice and aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate were added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crude crystals were recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane to give pale yellow prisms 6-1 (970 mg, 74.8%).

[0177] m.p. 86-88° C. Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₁₄H₁₃NO₄-0.1H₂O: C, 64.41; H, 5.10; N, 5.37: Found: C, 64.50; H, 4.99; N, 5.45. NMR (CDCl₃): 3.88 (3H, s), 4.90 (2H, d, J=4.2), 6.73 (1H, dd, J=0.9 and 2.1), 6.90 (1H, br), 7.15-7.22 (1H, m), 7.43 (1H, t, J=7.8), 7.48 (1H, t, J=1.8), 7.53 (1H, t, J=1.8), 7.61 (1H, d, J=7.5), 8.00-8.05 (1H, m).

Reference 4 2-Furoyl-(3-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazide (21-1)

[0178]

[0179] To a solution of 2-furoylhydrazide (2.522 g, 20.00 mmol) in ethanol (20 mL) was added dropwise m-anisaldehyde (2.43 mL, 19.97 mmol) at room temperature. After the mixture was stirred for 4 hours, it was allowed to stand overnight. The crystals precipitated from the reaction mixture were collected and washed with 95% ethanol to give colorless prisms 21-1 (4.436 g, 90.8%).

[0180] m.p. 156-157° C. Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₁₃H₁₂N₂O₃: C, 63.93; H, 4.95; N, 11.47: Found: C, 63.69; H, 4.98; N, 11.41. NMR (CDCl₃): 3.87 (3H, s), 6.58 (1H, dd, J=1.5 and 3.3), 6.94-7.01 (1H, m), 7.24-7.44 (4H, m) 7.47-7.57 (1H, m), 8.24 (1H, s), 9.39 (1H, br).

Reference 5 3-Acetamidobenzonitrile

[0181]

[0182] To 3-aminobenzonitrile (2.50, 21.16 mmol) was added acetic anhydride (10 mL, 105.98 mmol) at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour. The remaining reagent was evaporated in vacuo. To the residue was added saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was washed with isopropyl ether to give pale brown crystals (3.266 g, 96.3%).

[0183] m.p. 120-123° C. Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₉H₈N₂O: C, 67.49; H, 5.03; N, 17.49: Found: C, 67.47; H, 5.01; N, 17.57. NMR (CDCl₃): 2.21 (3H, s), 7.35-7.47 (3H, m), 7.67-7.75 (1H, m), 7.92 (1H, br).

Reference 6 N-[3-(5-Tetrazolylphenyl)]-acetamide (15-1)

[0184]

[0185] To a solution of 3-acetamidobenzonitrile (2.883 g, 18.00 mmol) in toluene (36 mL) were added trimethylsilyl azide (4.8 mL, 36.16 mmol) and di-n-butyltin oxide (0.448 g, 1.80 mmol), and the mixture was heated under reflux for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, the residue was mixed with methanol, and the mixture was evaporated again in vacuo. The residue was extracted with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (1.81 g, 21.55 mmol) and the aqueous layer was washed with ethyl acetate. The alkaline aqueous solution was acidified with hydrochloric acid. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration and washed with ethanol to give compound 15-1 (2.033 g, 55.6%).

[0186] m.p. 250-260° C. (dec). Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₉H₉N₅O: C, 53.20; H, 4.46; N, 34.46: Found: C, 53.25; H, 4.40; N, 33.52 NMR (DMSO, d-6): 2.09 (3H, s), 5.20 (1H, t, J=7.8), 7.62-7.78 (2H, m), 8.39 (1H, t, J=1.8), 10.20 (1H, s).

Reference 7 1,2-Bis(3-methylphenyl)hydrazine (11-1)

[0187]

[0188] m-Toluic acid (10.89 g, 80.0 mmol) was treated with thionyl chloride (18.0 mL, 248.1 mmol) at 40° C. for 3 hours. Excess thionyl chloride was evaporated in vacuo. To a solution of crude m-toluic acid chloride in dry dichloromethane (44 mL) was added dropwise hydrazine monohydrate (11.5 mL, 237.08 mmol) at room temperature over 1 hour 30 minutes, and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was added to water, and precipitated crystals were collected by filtration and washed with water and methanol to give colorless powdery crystals 11-1 (10.06 g, 93.8%).

[0189] m.p. 220-223° C. Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₁₆H₁₆N₂O₂: C, 71.62; H, 6.01; N, 10.44: Found: C, 71.27; H, 5.77; N, 10.61 NMR (DMSO, d-6): 2.39 (6H, s), 7.37-7.45 (4H, m), 7.68-7.78 (4H, m), 10.29 (2H, br)

Reference 8 [(3-furoyl)-(3-methoxybenzoyl)]hydrazine (18-1)

[0190]

[0191] To a solution of m-anisic acid hydrazide (1.255 g, 7.552 mmol) in pyridine (4 mL) was added compound 5-1 (1.035 g, 7.929 mmol) dropwise under ice cooling and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 4 hours, and then for 12 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and precipitated crystals were washed with ethyl acetate and then isopropyl ether, and recrystallized from isopropanol to give colorless needles 18-1 (1.578 g, 80.3%).

[0192] m.p. 211-212° C. Elemental analysis: Calculated for C₁₃H₁₂N₂O₄-0.5H₂O: C, 57.99; H, 4.87; N, 10,40; Found :C, 57, 79; H, 4.83; N, 10.61. NMR (DMSO, d-6): 3.82 (3H, s), 6.93 (1H, d, J=1.8), 7.11-7.23 (1H, m), 7.38-7.56 (3H, m), 7.80 (1H, d, J=1.8), 8.30 (1H, d, J=0.9), 10.23 (1H, br), 10.42 (1H, br).

Reference 9 1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)ethanone oxime (24-1)

[0193] A mixture of 3-methoxyacetophenone (10 g), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (5.1 g), aqueous 4M-sodium hydroxide (18 mL), water (30 mL) and ethanol (50 mL) was heated at reflux for 2 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and resulting aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The organic layer was washed with water and brine and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. Resulting oily substance was azeotropically dried two times with toluene and the residue was used in following steps without further purification.

Example 1 3,5-Di(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methylpyrazole (PZ35-4)

[0194]

[0195] To a solution of 1,3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-propanedione (14.2 g, 5.0 mmol) in ethanol (10 mL) were added sodium hydrogen carbonate (1.68 g, 20.0 mmol) and methyl hydrazine sulfate (1.44 g, 10.0 mmol), and the mixture was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo from the reaction mixture and residue was dissolved in chloroform. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from methanol to give colorless prisms PZ35-4 (1.42 g, 96.6%).

[0196] m.p. 107-108° C.

Example 2 2-(3-Furyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)oxazole (OX25-2)

[0197]

[0198] A suspension of compound 6-1 (778 mg, 3.00 mmol) in phosphorus oxychloride (7.8 mL, 83.68 mmol) was stirred at 100° C. for 1 hour. Phosphorus oxychloride was removed in vacuo. The residue was mixed with ice, and the mixture was neutralized with aqueous concentrated ammonia, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts were washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate-hexane=1:3) followed by recrystallization from isopropyl ether to give pale yellow prisms OX25-2 (662 mg, 85.9%).

[0199] m.p. 88-90° C.

Example 3 2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-phenylthiazole (TZ24-5)

[0200]

[0201] A suspension of α-bromoacetophenone (3.981 g, 20.00 mmol), 4-methoxythiobenzamide (3.345 g; 20.00 mmol) and dry ethanol (40 mL) was stirred at 50° C. for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, the residue was mixed with ice, and the mixture was made weakly basic with 4N-sodium hydroxide and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (chloroform), and recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave pale yellow prisms TZ24-5 (4.786 g, 89.5%).

[0202] m.p. 98.5-100° C.

Example 4 4-(2-Furyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiazole (TZ24-6)

[0203]

[0204] A suspension of 2-acetylfuran (0.661 g, 6.00 mmol) and hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo-benzene (Koser's Reagent, 2.35 g, 6.00 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (12 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the residue were added 4-methoxythiobenzamide (1.00 g, 6.00 mmol) and dry ethanol (24 mL), and the mixture was heated at reflux for 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, water was added to the residue, and the mixture was extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with water and brine, and was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (toluene) to give crude crystals, which were recrystallized from isopropyl ether-hexane giving TZ24-6 as pale brown crystals (668 mg, 43.4%).

[0205] mp. 77-78° C.

Example 5 2-(3-Furyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)thiazole (TZ25-6)

[0206]

[0207] A suspension of compound 6-1 (1.063 g, 4.00 mmol) and Lawson reagent (2.10 g, 5.19 mmol) in dry xylene (20 mL) was heated under reflux for 1 hour 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was mixed with aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on neutral alumina followed by silica gel eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:4). Recrystallization from isopropyl ether gave TZ25-6 as pale brown prisms (681 mg, 66.1%).

[0208] m.p. 61-62° C.

Example 6 5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (124OD35-12)

[0209]

[0210] To a suspension of benzamidoxime (9.04 g, 66.40 mmol), zinc chloride (27.15 g, 199.22 mmol) and butyl acetate (68 mL) were added anisnitrile 8-1 (8.84 g, 66.39 mmol) and hydrogen chloride-ethyl acetate solution (4M, 17.1 mL, 68.40 mmol), and the mixture was heated under reflux at 130° C. for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was mixed with ice and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was subjected to silica gel chromatography and the fractions were eluted with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:9) to give 124OD35-12. This was recrystallized from isopropyl ether to give colorless prisms (3.779 g, 22.6%).

[0211] m.p. 97-98° C.

Example 7 2,5-Bis (3-tolyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (134OD25-40)

[0212]

[0213] A mixture of compound 11-1 (5.37 g, 20.01 mmol) and phosphorus oxychloride (18.7 mL, 200.6 mmol) was stirred at 130° C. for 30 minutes. After evaporating phosphorus oxychloride in vacuo, the residue was mixed with ice, neutralized with aqueous ammonia, and the mixture was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform layer was washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (chloroform) and then recrystallized from ethyl acetate-hexane to give colorless prisms 134OD25-40 (2.996 g, 59.8%).

[0214] m.p. 82-83° C.

Example 8 2-(2-Pyridyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (134OD25-46)

[0215]

[0216] A suspension of phenyltrichloromethane (7.82 g, 40.00 mmol),α-picolininic acid hydrazide (5.48 g, 39.96 mmol) and sodium carbonate (4.02 g, 37.93 mmol) in dry ethanol (100 mL) was heated at reflux for 6 hours. After filtrating inorganic material off from the reaction mixture, the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo.

[0217] The crude intermediate were stirred with p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrate (0.761 g, 4.00 mmol) in dry dimethylformamide (20 mL) at 130° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography over neutral alumina and then silica gel (hexane-chloroform=1:4). Recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave 134OD25-46 as colorless prisms (3.036 g, 36.1%).

[0218] m.p. 127-128° C.

Example 9 2-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (134OD25-15)

[0219]

[0220] To a suspension of 4-dimethylaminophenylcarboxylic acid (1.652 g, 10.00 mmol), dry dimethylformamide (0.039 mL, 0.05 mmol) and dry dichloromethane (5 mL) was dropwise added oxalyl chloride (1.05 mL, 12.04 mmol) at room temperature over 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. To the reaction product were added dry pyridine (0.81 mL, 10.01 mmol), dry acetonitrile (5 mL) and 5-phenyltetrazole (1.462 g, 10.00 mmol) and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate-chloroform (1:15) and recrystallization from ethyl acetate-hexane gave 134OD25-15 as pale yellow prisms (422 mg, 15.9%).

[0221] m.p. 135-140° C.

Example 10 2-[2-(2-Furyl)vinyl]-5-[1,3,4]-oxadiazole (134OD25-23)

[0222]

[0223] A suspension of 3-(2-furyl)acrylic acid (1.381 g, 10.00 mmol), thionyl chloride (0.80 mL, 11.03 mmol), dimethylformamide (0.039 mL, 0.50 mmol) and acetonitrile (1.4 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The product was immediately mixed with 5-phenyltetrazole (1.462 g, 10.00 mmol), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and at 100° C. for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate-hexane=1:3) and recrystallization from 95% ethanol gave pale yellow prisms 134OD25-23 (653 mg, 27.4%).

[0224] m.p. 131-132° C.

Example 11 2-(3-Furyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-[1,3,4]-oxadiazole (134OD25-32)

[0225]

[0226] A suspension of compound 18-1 (5.04 g, 19.37 mmol) and phosphorus oxychloride (18.0 mL, 193.11 m mmol) was stirred at 100° C. for 1 hour 30 minutes. After removal of phosphorus oxychloride in vacuo, the residue was added to ice, neutralized with aqueous concentrated ammonia, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography and compound 134OD25-32 was obtained with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:3). The resulting crude crystals were recrystallized from isopropyl ether to give compound 134OD25-32 as colorless prisms (4.34 g, 92.5%).

[0227] m.p. 70-71° C.

Example 12 3-(3-Furyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]-triazole (124TA35-17)

[0228]

[0229] A suspension of compound 134OD25-32 (1.211 mg, 5.00 mmol) and thiourea (1.00 g, 13.14 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (5 mL) was heated at 150° C. for 24 hours in a sealed tube. The reaction mixture was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography. Elution with ethyl acetate-hexane (1:1) followed by recrystallization from ethyl acetate gave 124TA35-17 (471 mg, 39.1%).

[0230] m.p. 169-171° C.

Example 13 2-(3-Furyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-[1,3,4]-thiadiazole (134TD25-2)

[0231]

[0232] A suspension of compound 18-1 (1.562 g, 6.00 mmol) and phosphorus pentasulfide (1.80 g, 8.10 mmol) in dry pyridine (12 mL) was stirred at 100° C. for 9 hours. After the solvent was removed in vacuo, the residue was mixed with ice, made weakly alkaline with 4M-sodium hydroxide, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography and eluted with ethyl acetate. The eluent (2.529 g) still contained an uncyclized intermediate, which was mixed with p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrate (0.395 g, 2.08 mmol) and dry toluene (25 mL), and the mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was added to an aqueous saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate-hexane=1:3) and recrystallization from 95% ethanol gave compound 134TD25-2 (0.820 g, 52.9%).

[0233] m.p. 75.5-76.5° C.

Example 14 2-(2-Furyl)-5-p-tolyl-[1,3,4]-thiadiazole (134TD25-5)

[0234]

[0235] A suspension of compound 21-1 (2.931 g, 12.00 mmol) and thionyl chloride (1.04 mL, 14.34 mmol) in benzene (12 mL) was heated under reflux for 6 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was treated with hot petroleum ether. Only the soluble portion was taken up and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The resulting crude product (1.521 g) and 4-methylthiobenzamide (0.875 g, 5.786 mmol) were dissolved in dry ethanol (20 mL) and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 30 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo from reaction mixture. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (ethyl acetate-hexane=1:5) and recrystallization from 95% ethanol gave compound 134TD25-5 (670 mg, 23.0%).

[0236] m.p. 111-113° C.

Example 15 5-(Furan-3-yl)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-isoxazole (IX35-9)

[0237]

[0238] To a solution of 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethanone oxime (1.65 g, 0.01 mol) in THF (55 mL) was added dropwise a solution of n-butyllithium (1.6M-in hexane, 14 mL) under ice cooling. After stirring at the same temperature for 30 minutes, a solution of ethyl furan-3-carboxylate (0.7 g, 5 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added slowly. After stirring for 1 hour at ice bath temperature, 5N-hydrochloric acid (18 mL) was added in one portion, and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 hour. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into ice, made alkaline with sodium hydrogen carbonate, and extracted with ether. The reaction product was purified by silica gel chromatography (82 g, ethyl acetate-hexane=1:4) to give a mixture mainly containing compound IX35-9. This mixture was again purified by silica gel chromatography (90 g, toluene) to give colorless crystals (480 mg), which were further recrystallized from acetone-hexane to obtain IX35-9 as colorless crystals.

[0239] m.p. 36-37° C.

[0240] Other compounds (I) were synthesized in a similar manner. Their physiological constants are listed below: TABLE 29 Elemental Molecular Elemental analysis analysis Compounds m.p (° C.) formula (Calculated) (Found) NMR 124OD35-12   96-96.5 C15H12N2O2 C, 71.42; H, 4.79; N, C, 71.40; H, 4.81; CDCl3) 3.91(3H, s), 7.04(2H, d, J=8.7), 7.45-7.55(3H, m), 11.10 N, 11.21 8.11-8.21(2H, m), 8.17(2H, d, J=8.7) 134OD25-14 120-122 C15H12N2OS C, 67.14; H, 4.51; N, C, 67.28; H, 4.48; CDCl3) 2.55(3H, s), 7.36(2H, d, J=8.4), 7.49-7.59(3H, m), 10.44; S, 11.95 N, 10.48; S, 8.04(2H, d, J=8.4), 8.10-8.18(2H, m) 12.09 134OD25-15 135-140 C16H15N3O C, 72.43; H, 5.70; N, C, 72.20; H, 5.76; CDCl3) 3.06(3H, s), 3.07(3H, s), 6.77(2H, d, J=9.0), 7.47-7.56 15.84 N, 15.49 7.56(3H, m), 7.99(2H, d, J=9.0), 8.08-8.16(2H, m) 134OD25-23 127-130 C14H10N2O2 C, 70.58; H, 4.23; N, C, 70.50; H, 4.18; CDCl3) 6.50(1H, dd, J=2.1 and 3.3), 6.63(1H, d, J=3.3), 11.76 N, 11.80 6.98(1H, d, J=16.2), 7.40(1H, d, J=16.2), 7.46-7.60(4H, m), 8.05-8.17(2H, m) 134OD25-27 261-263 C16H11N3O C, 73.55; H, 4.24; N, C, 73.46; H, 4.18; CDCl3) 7.08-7.18(1H, m), 7.25-7.33(1H, m), 7.34(1H, s), 16.08 N, 16.08 7.52(1H, dd, J=1.2 and 8.4), 7.61-7.75(4H, m), 8.10-8.20( 2H, m), 12.32(1H, s) 134OD25-28 148-149 C16H10N2O2 C, 73.27; H, 3.84; N, C, 73.32; H, 3.84; CDCl3) 7.31-7.76(8H, m), 8.14-8.21(2H, m) 10.68 N, 10.74 134OD25-32 70-71 C13H10N2O3 C, 64.46; H, 4.16; N, C, 61.45; H, 4.15; CDCl3) 3.90(3H, s), 6.99(1H, dd, J=0.9 and 2.1), 7.06-7.13 11.56 N, 11.73 3(1H, m), 7.43(1H, t, J=7.8), 7.57(1H, t, J=1.8), 7.61-7.72 (2H, m), 8.17(1H, dd, J=0.9 and 1.5) 134OD25-40 82-83 C16H14N2O C, 76.78; H, 5.64; N, C, 76.97; H, 5.44; CDCl3) 2.46(6H, s), 7.33-7.47(4H, m), 7.91-8.01(4H, m) 11.19 N, 11.23 134OD25-46 121-124 C13H9N3O C, 69.95; H, 4.06; N, C, 70.15; H, 4.10; CDCl3) 7.45-7.59(4H, m), 7.86-7.96(1H, m) 8.19-8.26(2H, 18.82 N, 18.76 m), 8.33(1H, d, J=7.8), 8.83(1H, d, J=4.2) 134TD25-2 75.5-76.5 C13H10N2O C, 60.45; H, 3.90; N, C, 60.28; H, 4.18; CDCl3) 3.90(3H, s), 6.96(1H, dd, J=0.9 and 1.8), 7.01-7.08 2S 10.85; S, 12.41 N, 10.92 S, 12.29 (1H, m), 7.39(1H, t, J=8.1), 7.46-7.53(1H, m), 7.55(1H, t, J=1.8), 7.58-7.62(1H, m), 8.06(1H, d, J=0.9) 134TD25-5 110-113 C13H10N2OS C, 64.44; H, 4.16; N, C, 64.48; H, 4.24; CDCl3) 2.43(3H, s), 6.60(1H, dd, J=1.8 and 3.3), 7.19-7.23 11.56; s, 13.23 N, 11.55 S, 13.27 (1H, m), 7.30(2H, d, J=8.1), 7.59-7.63(1H, m), 7.89(2H, d, J=8.1)

[0241] TABLE 30 IX35-8 165-166 C17H15NO3 C, 72.58; H, 5.37; N, 4.98 C, 72.12; H, 5.31; CDCl3) 3.87(6H, s), 6.66(1H, s), 7.00(4H, d, J=9.0), 7.77 N, 5.17 (2H, d, J=9.0), 7.80(2H, d, J=9.0) OX25-2 88-90 C14H11NO3 C, 69.70; H, 4.60; N, C, 69.25; H, 4.55; CDCl3) 3.88(3H, s), 6.85-6.95(2H, m), 7.18-7.24(1H, m), 5.81 N, 6.08 7.27-7.36(2H, m), 7.37(1H, s), 7.52(1H, t, J=1.8), 8.10(1H, d, J=0.6) PZ35-4 107-108 C18H18N2O2 C, 73.45; H, 6.16; N, C, 73.39; H, 6.30; CDCl3) 3.84(3H, s), 3.87(3H, s), 3.89(3H, s), 6.48(1H, s), 9.52 N, 9.70 6.94(2H, d, J=9.0), 7.00(2H, d, J=8.8), 7.39(2H, d, J=8.8), 7.75(2H, d, J=9.0) TZ-2 139-141 C14H11N4Cl C, 62.11; H, 4.09; N, C, 62.00; H, 4.15; CDCl3) 2.44(3H, s), 7.33(2H, d, J=7.8), 7.55(2H, d, J=9.0), 20.69; Cl; 13.09 N, 20.83; Cl, 8.13(2H, d, J=7.8), 8.16(2H, d, J=9.0) 12.98 TZ-3 102-103 C14H12N4 C, 71.17; H, 5.12; N, C, 71.29; H, 5.13; CDCl3) 2.45(3H, s), 7.37(2H, d, J=8.7), 7.46-7.58(3H, m), 23.71 N, 23.87 8.07(2H, d, J=8.7), 8.22-8.29(2H, m) TZ-4 161-163 C13H8N4Cl2 C, 53.63; H, 2.77; N, C, 53.58; H, 2.80; CDCl3) 7.51(2H, d, J=8.7), 7.56(2H, d, J=8.7), 8.15(2H, d, 19.24; Cl, 24.35 N, 18.55; Cl, J=8.7), 8.18(2H, d, J=8.7) 23.36 TZ-7   101-101.5 C14H12N4O C, 66.65; H, 4.79; N, C, 66.72; H, 4.73; CDCl3) 3.90(3H, s), 7.07(2H, d, J=9.0), 7.48-7.57(3H, m), 22.21 N, 22.22 8.11(2H, d, J=9.0), 8.22-8.28(2H, m) TZ25-6 59.5-60.5 C14H11NO2S C, 65.35; H, 4.31; N, C, 65.33; H, 4.26; CDCl3) 3.87(3H, s), 6.85-6.93(1H, m), 6.86(1H, dd, J=0.9 5.44; S, 12.46 N, 5.50; S, 12.35 and 1.8), 7.10(1H, t, J=2.4), 7.13-7.20(1H, m), 7.33(1H, t, J=7.8), 7.50(1H, t, J=1.5), 7.94(1H, s), 8.01(1H, dd, J=0.9 and 1.5) TZ24- 111-112 C15H12N2OS C, 67.15; H, 4.51; N, C, 67.15; H, 4.35; CDCl3) 3.88(3H, s), 6.98(2H, d, J=9.0), 7.22-7.26(1H, m), 11 10.44; S, 11.95 N, 10.29; S, 7.77-7.83(1H, m), 7.97-8.04(3H, m), 8.26(1H, d, J=8.1), 11.78 8.62-8.64(1H, m) TZ24-6 77-78 C14H11NO2S CDCl3) 3.87(3H, s), 6.50(1H, dd, J=1.8 and 3.3), 6.87(1H, d, J=3.3), 6.96(2H, d, J=9.0), 7.35(1H, s), 7.46(1H, m), 7.95(2H, d, J=9.0)

[0242] Experiment 1

[0243] Activity to Enhance the Production of Human apoAI

[0244] The promoter region of the gene encoding human apoAI was isolated and ligated upstream the structure gene of firefly luciferase to construct a reporter plasmid. The reporter plasmid and a marker plasmid conferring the neomycin resistance were co-infected to cell lines derived from human hepatoma, HepG2 cells, and the cell lines were incubated in a selection medium comprising DMEM medium containing 10% fetal calf serum supplemented with G418 (Final concentration: 0.7 mg/mL, Gibco) to give established strains that stably express the reporter molecule. The strains were seeded to a 96-well culture plates at a density of 50,000 cells per well, and incubated for 48 hours at 37° C. under 5% carbon dioxide. Then, a solution of the compounds according to the invention in DMSO was added to the wells at a final concentration of 0 to 10 μg/mL. After further incubation for 24 hours, the cells were added with a luciferase assay reagent (Piccagene LT 7.5 registered trade mark, Toyo Ink, KK), and the luciferase activity was determined using a luminometer (MicroBetaTM TRILUX, 1 sec/well, Wallac). The concentration of the compounds, which intensified the luciferase activity twice compared to that of control (DMSO without any compound of the invention added) was set as the minimal effective dose (MED). The results are shown in Table 31. TABLE 31 Compound MED (μM) 123TA14-2 0.59 124OD35-12 0.07 124OD35-15 0.18 124OD35-13 0.7 124TD35-6 0.93 134OD25-9 0.22 134OD25-10 0.91 134OD25-11 0.74 134OD25-15 0.27 134OD25-14 0.56 134OD25-23 0.82 134OD25-28 1.1 134OD25-27 2.4 134OD25-32 2.8 134OD25-34 1.5 134OD25-40 0.17 134OD25-46 0.37 134TD25-1 0.89 134TD25-4 0.58 134TD25-5 0.98 F25-10 2.5 IX35-1 0.75 IX35-8 0.5 IX35-9 0.53 OX24-5 0.32 OX24-8 2.9 PZ35-4 0.41 PZ35-5 1.5 TZ-1 0.33 TZ-2 0.42 TZ-3 0.2 TZ-4 0.53 TZ-7 0.22 TZ24-3 0.45 TZ24-5 3.7 TZ24-6 1.2 TZ24-11 1.2

[0245] Table 31 shows that the compounds according to the invention can promote the function of the gene encoding human apoAI, thus indicating enhancement of the expression of apoAI. Formulation 1 tablets compound (134OD25-32) 15 mg starch 15 mg lactose 15 mg crystalline cellulose 19 mg polyvinyl alcohol  3 mg distilled water 30 mL calcium stearate  3 mg

[0246] The ingredients other than calcium stearate were mixed uniformly, powdered, granulated, and dried to give granules of a suitable size. Then the calcium stearate was added and the materials were compressed to give a tablet formulation. Formulation 2 Capsules compound (134OD25-40) 10 mg magnesium stearate 10 mg lactose 80 mg

[0247] The ingredients were homogeneously mixed to give powder or fine particles to give a powder formulation. This was filled in capsules to give a capsule formulation. Formulation 3 Granules compound (124OD35-12)  30 g lactose 265 g magnesium stearate  5 g

[0248] The ingredients were mixed thoroughly, compressed, powdered, granulated and sieved to give a granule formulation.

Industrial Applicability

[0249] As is apparent from the experiment as described above, the compounds according to the invention have an activity for enhancing the expression of apoAI. Thus, the compounds according to the invention are very useful as pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases, or coronary artery diseases. 

1. A pharmaceutical composition for enhancing the expression of apoAI, which comprises a compound of formula (I):

in which Y¹ is O, S or NR¹; Y² is CR² or N; Y³ is CR³ or N; Y⁴ is CR⁴ or N; Y⁵ is CR⁵ or N; R¹ is A¹, -Z-A², a hydrogen, a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, an acyl that may be optionally substituted, an amino that may be optionally substituted, a lower alkoxycarbonyl that may be optionally substituted, or a carbamoyl that may be optionally substituted; R², R³, R⁴and R⁵ are independently A¹, -Z-A², a hydrogen, a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, a lower alkoxy that may be optionally substituted, a nitro, an acyl that may be optionally substituted, an amino that may be optionally substituted, a mercapto, a lower alkylthio that may be optionally substituted, a carboxy, a lower alkoxycarbonyl that may be optionally substituted, or a carbamoyl that may be optionally substituted; A¹ and A² are independently a cycloalkyl that may be optionally substituted, an aryl that may be optionally substituted, or a heterocyclic ring that may be optionally substituted; -Z- is a single bond, —CR⁶═CR⁷—, or —N—, wherein R⁶ and R⁷ are independently a hydrogen or a lower alkyl; provided that at least one selected from Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has A¹, and any one of the others has -Z-A²; a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1, in which the 5-membered ring consisting of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has a nucleus selected from a group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,5-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,2,5-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, pyrazole, tetrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, pyrrole, furan and thiophene.
 3. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, in which the 5-membered ring consisting of Y¹, Y², Y³, Y⁴, and Y⁵ has a nucleus selected from a group consisting of 1,2,3-triazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, pyrazole, tetrazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, furan, and thiophene.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which A¹ and A² are independently a phenyl, a pyridyl, a pyrazinyl, a furyl, a thienyl, a thiazolyl, a pyrazolyl, a isoxazolyl, a benzofuryl, or an indolyl, each of which may be optionally substituted.
 5. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 4, in which A¹ and A² are independently a phenyl that may be optionally substituted by a halogen, a hydroxy, a lower alkyl, a lower alkoxy, a lower alkylthio, an amino that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl, a phenyl, a styryl or a heteroaryl; a thiazolyl that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; a pyrazolyl that may be optionally substituted by a lower alkyl; an unsubstituted pyridyl; an unsubstituted indolyl; an unsubstituted benzofuryl; an unsubstituted thienyl; or an unsubstituted furyl.
 6. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which Z is a single bond.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which Y¹ is O, S or NR¹, R¹ is a lower alkyl that may be optionally substituted, or an amino that may be optionally substituted; and, among Y², Y³, Y⁴ and Y⁵, one or two is (are) independently CA¹, one is CA², and the others are independently CH or N.
 8. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is used for prevention and/or treatment of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases.
 9. A method of enhancing the expression of apoAI, which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them to a patient expected to enhance the expression of apoAI.
 10. A method of treatment and/or prevention of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases, which comprises administrating a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them to a patient suspected to have blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases.
 11. Use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them for the manufacturing a medicament of enhancing the expression of apoAI.
 12. Use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1, a prodrug thereof, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of them for the manufacturing a medicament of treatment and/or prevention of blood lipid disorders, arteriosclerotic diseases or coronary artery diseases. 